Chapter 18

Her smile

Robb felt exhausted as he made his way to the Godswood. He had barely slept in days. It had been two weeks since he had acted like a fool and passed out on his wife's bed. He had barely spoken to her after that, he had been too embarrassed. He remembered calling her Talisa. He had thought that she was Talisa. He had still thought that when he had woken up beside her. For that brief moment he had been happy.

Then he had seen his wife's light auburn hair spread out across the pillow. She had slept soundly and he had watched her for a long while. She had looked fragile, peaceful and so damned beautiful with her full lips, her sleep-pinked cheeks and her soft supple curves. He had wanted nothing more than to remove her nightgown and touch her creamy white breasts. Brush the tips of his fingers across first one rosy pink nipple and then the other, making them respond, tightening into firm buds, begging to be tasted. And he would have tasted them, making her moan with pleasure.

He had thought about a dozen different ways to take her. Claim her beautiful body as his. The lust he felt for her hadn't disappeared. It made him feel guilt, shame, desperation, remorse, self-loathing and many other things. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Perhaps a moment alone in the sacred place would give him some clarity.

Silently he walked towards the Heart tree when he suddenly heard something. A female voice, she was laughing. He frowned and followed the sound. What he saw surprised him completely. Lady Minea was playing with Ghost and Grey Wind, the wolves were chasing her. She laughed as they jumped against her, waving their tales. Robb realized that he had never before heard her laughing. He stared at his wife until he heard Jon's voice.

"Careful! No jumping!"

"It's alright," Lady Minea assured smiling as she petted the wolves. "I don't mind."

"They can be rough sometimes, even if they don't mean it."

She looked up and smiled at Jon.

"I really don't mind. I love being here with them."

"I'm glad to hear that, but please be careful, my lady. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Her smile grew wider.

"I'm grateful for your concern, my lord. You have been a wonderful friend. Thank you."

"You're welcome, my lady. I'm glad if I have been able to help."

"You have. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Robb stared at his wife and Jon disbelievingly. He felt a nasty lump in his throat. Since when had they been friends? Were they more than friends? How dared Jon betray him like this? How dared Minea be here alone with Jon? That was more than inappropriate for a married woman. She was Robb's wife and yet she was acting like some…some…

He bit his bottom lip and looked at her. She looked happy. There was no sign of distress, fear or hurt. Her smile made her even more beautiful. She had never smiled at him like that. Why would she have? Had he ever given her any reason to smile? No, he hadn't, on the contrary. He had given her several reasons to hate him. That was probably the way she felt.

And now as he looked at her, he only felt one thing. Jealousy. That was just great. He truly was a despicable man for betraying Talisa like this. But was he really betraying her? She would always have a place in his heart, but did that really mean that he couldn't act like a decent husband toward his new wife? Well, he certainly hadn't done that so far. Was it too late to change that now?

Maybe. It was more than possible that she already hated him. Maybe, but she was still his wife. He had once been a good man, an honorable man. That man had been gone for a long time, but perhaps there was still something left of him. At least he hoped so.

Minea was smiling as she headed to her chamber in order to get changed before the dinner. She had enjoyed the walk in the woods very much; Jon had been kind enough to escort her. He truly was a good man, she considered him her closest friend, besides Ersa of course. He would make some woman very happy. Of course she wished him to be happy, but she had to admit that she would be sad to lose him.

Obviously he wouldn't have so much time for her anymore after he would find himself a wife. Minea knew it was foolish to lean on him so much, but he had been there for her ever since she had arrived here. He had helped her when no one else had. For that she would always be grateful and she hoped she would be able to repay him somehow.

If only there would be more men like him. Her husband hadn't come to her chamber after his visit two weeks ago and she hadn't missed him. That night had made her understood that she would never be anything to him. Nothing but a pale copy of Talisa. She wasn't going get his affection, not to mention his love. It hurt, but she didn't have much choice but to accept it. His heart would always belong to someone else. She sighed while opening the door to her chamber.

"Ersa?"

"She's not here," a quiet but firm male voice said.

Minea startled and turned quickly to look at her husband. He was standing in front of the fireplace with his arms crossed.

"My lord… Good evening."

"Close the door, my lady," he stated calmly. "You and I need to talk."